CHAPTER VII 



BOOTS AND SADDLES 



EIGHT years have now passed since that 

 eventful night when old Buck and the 

 Thundering Herd had held up the Flyer 

 upon the great trans-continental railroad 

 for nine hours, while its own stupendous 

 battalions passed. During that time pitiful 

 changes had come to the Thundering Herd, 

 which was now no longer large enough to 

 thunder. 



The coming of another railroad farther 

 north than the first to span the continent, 

 and the many boats plying far up the Mis- 

 souri, had opened up the fine grazing-grounds 

 of the northern herd to the robe-hunters. 

 Thousands of men went forth every year, 

 each with a half-dozen packhorses, and 

 several skinners to butcher buffalo. All 



